In the non-suppurative variety, that which I have specially desig nated by the name of polymyositis, wet cups or flying blisters have been applied; moist compresses have been employed; antiseptic baths and hot douches have been used; and finally the whole list of antipyretics (salicylate of sodium, salol, naphthol, etc.) and of tonics (cinchona, etc.) have been administered internally.
In my opinion, we ought always in the case of an infectious disease to have two indications present to our minds, viz., (1) to strengthen the organism and so increase its resisting powers, and (2) to endeavor to neutralize the action of the micro-organisms and of their toxins by means of antiseptics. I would therefore adminis ter to a patient suffering from infectious myositis, whatever its form might be, tonic preparations, at the head of which I would place kola nut. By reason of the caffeine, the tannin, and the kola red which this drug contains, it is an excellent tonic, acting in a particularly powerful way upon the heart and circulation. In addition I would advise the administration of cinchona and of alcohol in small quanti ties under the form of some heavy wine. In certain cases I prefer the use of (the hydrochlorate) to that of cinchona. From the beginning the patient should be kept on a milk diet which will main tain the strength and, by reason of its diuretic action, favor the elimi nation of the toxins and the waste organic products. The patient should also be allowed to drink as much as he desires of some acidu lated beverage, such as lemonade or orangeade.
In the first rank of antiseptic drugs in these cases I would place a soluble naphthol which Stackler and myself have recently intro duced under the name of asaprol. This possesses very feeble toxic properties but a marked antiseptic action, and by reason of its ready solubility it is the remedy of choice in all cases when it is de sired to act directly upon all the tissues of the organism. It should be given in doses 3 to 4 gm. (45 to 60 grains) a day, either in cap sules or in a solution of the strength of 15 grains to each tablespoon ful. The solution may be flavored with syrup of bitter orange peel or with a little anisette. Asaprol possesses the great advantages, to mention only these, that it does not diminish the secretion of urine and is so feebly toxic that it can be administered for a considerable period of time without inconvenience.
A measure which I would also recommend is the warm bath, or, when this cannot be given, sponging with warm water to which is added some aromatic alcohol. There are of course other indications to be met in the treatment of this affection. Locally we may employ mild counter-irritation and antiphlogistic measures ; and when an abscess is present it should be opened as soon as possible and then treated antiseptically.
In following out the principles above enumerated we shall be in the best position for conducting our infected patients to a state of health. Nevertheless we shall often see our therapeutic. efforts come to naught, the disease remaining beyond the resources of our art.